Founder
Yara Cordeiro "Mestranda Yara"
In 2008, Mestranda Yara moved to the Washington, DC area, where she established and began coordinating the regional ABADÁ-Capoeira program. Her work led to the formation of Abadá-Capoeira DC, which became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2012.
In recognition of her cultural contributions and expertise, she was granted U.S. Permanent Residency in 2015 as a person of Exceptional Ability in the National Interest.
Today, Mestranda Yara continues to lead Abadá-Capoeira DC, mentoring students, training instructors, and building bridges between capoeira, community development, and cultural education.
Mestranda Yara has been practicing capoeira since 1982 and began teaching in 1996. In 2023, she was awarded the rank of Mestranda by ABADÁ-Capoeira, recognizing over four decades of dedication to the art. Her journey has combined deep academic inquiry, high-level competition, international performance, and community-building through capoeira.
Academic Background & Contributions
Mestranda Yara holds bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Physical Education, and has been a physical education teacher since 1994. She also holds graduate degrees in Sports Psychology and Capoeira from the University of Brasília (UnB), along with a Master’s degree in Psychology from the Brasília Catholic University (UCB).
Her academic focus has been on the intersection of capoeira and psychology, exploring how the art form supports identity, development, and self-esteem.
She is the author of three books:
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Capoeira, Identidade e Adolescência (2008)
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Capoeira e Desenvolvimento (2005)
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Capoeira e Autoestima (1998/2003 – 2nd edition)
These works have contributed significantly to the understanding of capoeira as a tool for education, empowerment, and social inclusion.
